Chuck shifting mechanism and slat feeding mechanism for lidding machines



A ril 21, 1936. H.- PAXTON 7 8 CHUCK SHIFTING MECHANISM AND SLAT FEEDI LNG MECHANISM FOR LIDDINGK MACHINES Filed Dec. 20, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 MIME/V702 hm: PAxmA/ April 21, 1936. H PAXTON 2,037,817

CHUCK SHIFTING MECHANISM AND SLAT FEEDENG MECHANISM FOR LIDDING MACHINES 1477 ORA/E V April 21, 1936. H; PAXTON 2,037,817

CHUCK SHIFTING MECHANISM AND SLAT FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LIDDING MACHINES HALE 94x70 Aprfifl '21, 193% H. PAXTON V 2,037,817 CHUCK SHIFTING MECHANISM AND SLAT FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LIDDING MACHINES F iled Dec. 20, 1932 7 Sheets-Shet 5 Z8 2 9a I H445 14 Y70W H. PAXTON 2,037,817

A rfifi 21, was.

CHUCK SHIFTING MECHANISM AND SLAT FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LIDDING MACHINES '7 Shgets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 20, 1952 I A L-W705 Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHUCK SHIFTING MECHANISM AND SLAT FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LIDDING MA- CHINES tion of California Application December 20, 1932, Serial No. 648,081

14 Claims.

My invention relates to nailing machines and is particularly useful in applying lids to crates or boxes of different widths.

In the packing of certain agricultural products for shipment different sized crates or boxes are used for the different varieties of fruits and vegetables, these crates usually being approximately equal in length and different in height and width. When certain fruits and vegetables are in season at the same time it is often necessary for one packing house to pack several varieties of produce simultaneously, and the different sized crates must be segregated for the lidding operation as the lidding machines are usually adjusted to receive a crate of a certain width and the machines must be readjusted for crates of different sizes.

An object of my invention is to provide a lidding machine in which the lid nail chucks are automatically shiftable to proper alignment with crates or boxes of various widths.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a lidding machine in which separate lid slats are automatically fed to position below the nail chucks.

A further object of my invention is to provide a crate or box lidding machine in which the lid slats are automatically spaced to fit crates or boxes of various widths.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent in the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred form of lidding machine of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the machine shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a stage of operation of the preferred machine of my invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the machine shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 11 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 4 showing a stage of operation subsequent to that shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line Ill-40 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Figs. 2, 4 and 8 showing a stage of operation subsequent to the stage shown in Fig. 8.

Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive are fragmentary, semidiagrammatic views illustrating the operation of a portion of the preferred machine of my invention.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary elevational view taken on the line l6l6 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 1'7 is a detail perspective View of one of the elements shown in Figs. 12 to 16 inclusive.

' Fig. 18 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line |8l8 of Fig. 11

Fig. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the machine as shown in Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary view showing the operation of the parts shown in Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional View taken on the line 2I--2I of Fig. 1.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view showing a portion of a modified form of lidding machine of my invention.

Fig. 23 is a view similar to Fig. 22 showing the mode of operation of the parts disclosed therein.

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary elevational view taken in the direction of the arrow 24 of Fig. 22.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line 25-25 of Fig. 24, and

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view taken on the line 26-26 of Fig. 22.

Referring specifically to the drawings, a lidding machine I0 comprising a preferred embodiment of my invention is shown in Figs. 1 to 21 inclusive, this machine including a frame ii, an elevator 12, a work centering mechanism l3, a nailing mechanism 14, a chuck shifting mechanism l5, a slat supporting mechanism i6, and a slat feeding mechanism H.

The frame 11 The frame H includes a suitable base 20, the latter supporting a pair of vertical side standards 2|. Fixed to the standards 2!, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, are front and rear horizontal angle iron bars 22 and 23 respectively. Welded or otherwise secured to the upper ends of the standards 21, as shown in Fig. 2, are forwardly extending brackets 2% which support opposite ends of front and rear horizontal bars 25 and 26.

Mounted on opposite ends of each of the bars 25 and 26 are front and rear brackets 21 and 28 respectively. to the upper ends of which pairs of bars 29 are fixed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Mounted on the lower ends of the brackets 27 and 28 are bars 30, these being parallel with the bars 29, it being noted in Fig. 2 that the bars 30 extend rearward beyond the side standards 2| and are braced at their rear extremities by a tie rod 3|.

The elevator 12 The elevator I2 includes a hydraulic cylinder 33 and a box supporting platform 34, as shown in Fig. 1. The cylinder 33 has a piston (not shown) from which a piston rod 35 extends vertically. The platform 34 includes a frame 36 which is secured to the upper end of the piston rod 35, the frame 36 having grooved rollers 39 mounted on opposite ends thereof, it being noted in Fig. 1 that the rollers 39 are positioned to embrace the inner edges of the side standards 2| so as to guide the platform 34 in its vertical movement relative to the standards 2|. Rotatably mounted on the frame 36 of the platform 34 are box rollers 31. Suitably mounted at opposite ends of the platform frame 36 are box or crate stops 38 which are adapted to automatically position a box at a predetermined location on the platform 34 relative to the longitudinal axis of the box. A complete disclosure of the structure and operation of the stops 38 can be found in my copending application for U. S. Letters Patent, Serial No. 468,680, filed July 17, 1930, for Automatic box stop for lidding machine.

Fixed to the rear edge of the frame 36 of the platform 34 are vertical plates 40. Each of the plates 40 is positioned adjacent opposite ends of the frame 36 and is formed to provide an apertured ear 4| and a rearwardly extending projection 42, as shown in Fig. 2.

Rotatably mounted on the front edge of each of the plates 40 is a pair of grooved rollers 43, as shown in Figs. 2 and 18. Carried by the rollers 43 on the plates 40 is a crate ejector 44 which includes a horizontal bar 45, as shown in Figs. 2 and 18, this bar having a plate 46 fixed thereto upon which a box engaging finger 41 is pivotally mounted, as shown in Fig. 19. The finger 41 includes a bar 48 which is normally urged against a stop pin 49 by a torsion spring 50, as clearly shown in Fig. 19. Pivoted on the free end of the bar 48 is an extension 52 which is urged against a stop pin 58 by a torsion spring 54. The bar 44 is adapted to be reciprocated horizontally in response to vertical movement of the platform 34 by a diagonal bar 56 clearly shown in Figs. 1 and I8. The bar 56 includes a tubular portion 5! which is pivotally mounted at its lower end on the horizontal bar 22 of the frame II at a point indicated at 55 in Fig. 1. Slidably received in the upper end of the tube 51 is a rod 58, the free end of which is pivotally mounted on the bar 44. Mounted on the rod 58 is a compression spring 59, opposite ends of which are fixed to the tube 57 and the rod 58 as shown in Fig. 1.

Hung below opposite ends of the platform 35 in transverse relation thereto are parallel bars 62 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The box centering mechanism 13 The box centering mechanism I3 includes a pair of units 63 and 64 mounted on opposite ends of the platform frame 36, as shown in Fig. 1. As the units 63 and 64 are identical, a detailed description of but one of the units will be set forth, and like reference numerals will denote like parts in each of these units.

As shown in Fig. 2, the unit 64 of the centering mechanism l3 includes a pair of lever arms I0 and II. these being pivotally mounted on one of the bars 62, the arm I8 having a downward extension 12, on the lower end of which a bored block I3 is pivotally mounted. Secured to the upper ends of the arms "I8 and II of each of the units 63 and 64 are front and rear guide rails I5 and I6 respectively, these being curved at their ends as shown in Fig. 18. Fixed to the rear guide rail 16, as shown in Figs. 2 and 18, is a pair of apertured ears H, the purpose of which will become apparent hereinafter in connection with the chuck shifting mechanism I5. The arms 10 and TI of the unit 64 are connected by a diagonal link 80, as shown in Fig. 2, so that they swing inwardly and outwardly in unison. Pivoted on the bar 62 is a depending arm 8| having an car 82 and .an outwardly extending pin 83 provided on the lower end thereof. Pivoted on the ear 82 of the arm 8| is a rod 84, the opposite end of which is slidably received by the aforementioned block I3 on the extension I2 of the arm 10.

Fixed on the rod 84 at opposite sides of the block I3 is a pair of collars 85 and 80, the collar 85 being normally held in contact with the block 73 by a compression spring 81, the latter being mounted on the rod 84 between the block I3 and the collar 86, as shown. The arms [0 and II are normally urged to the position shown in Fig. 2 by a contractile spring 98 which is suspended from the extension I2 of the arm I0 to the pivot point of the depending arm 8|, as shown in Fig. 2.

Fixed to the horizontal angle iron bar 22 of the frame Ii are upstanding apertured brackets 9| to which depending arms 92 are pivoted, the latter having recesses 93 at their lower ends. One of the arms 92, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, is normally urged against the pin 83 by a torsion spring 94. Further details of the box centering mechanism I3 can be found in my copending application for U. .8. Letters Patent, Serial No. 616,933, filed June 13, 1932, for Crate centering devices for lidders.

. The nailing mechanism 14 The nailing mechanism I4 includes a driving head 91, front, central, and rear pairs of nail chucks 98, 99 and I00, respectively, and a driving head actuating mechanism IOI.

The driving head 91 includes a pair of vertical slide shafts I82 which are slidable vertically on the side standards 2|. Bolted to the upper ends of the shafts I02 are forwardly extending horizontal bars I03 having elongated slots I04 provided therein as shown in Fig. 2.

The front ends of the bars I03 are fixed to a transverse bar I05, opposite ends of the latter being braced by diagonal members I06 which are connected at their lower ends to lateral extensions I0l formed on said vertical shafts I82.

The central nail chucks 99 are rigidly secured to the aforementioned pairs of bars 29 and the front and rear chucks 98 and I08 are slidably mounted on the bars 29, as shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 5. Slidable vertically within each of the chucks 98, 99 and I00 and extending upwardly therefrom are nail dn'vers IIO, the upper ends of the latter having threaded studs III which are received by the horizontal bars I03, it being noted in Fig. 21 that the studs III of the drivers I I0 of the central chucks 99 are rigidly fixed to the bar I03 by nuts H2 and that the studs III of the drivers IIi! of the chucks S8 and I are received by the aforementioned slots I04 in the bars I03. The drivers IIO of the chucks 98 and I00 are adjustable vertically relative to the bar I03 by nuts H3 which are threaded onto the studs III as shown, it being noted in Fig. 21 that the nuts H3 have integral flanges H4 and sleeves H5. The sleeves H5 are of suiiicient length so that when the nuts H3 are tightened against each other the space between the flanges H4 of the nuts H3 is slightly greater than the thickness of the bar I03, thus allowing the chucks 98 and ID!) to slide relative to the bar I83. The driving head 91 is adapted to lower and raise the drivers H0 within the chucks 98, 99 and I by the aforementioned actuating mechanism IIlI, the latter including a driven shaft H8 which is suitably journalled on the side standards 2| as shown in Fig. 1. The shaft H8 is adapted to be given a single revolution at the desire of the operator by means of a suitable power-driven clutch H9 shown diagrammatically in Figs. 1 and 2. Fixed on opposite ends of the shafts H8 are cranks I20, the latter being operatively connected to the aforementioned slide shaft extensions I01 by pitmans IZI.

Provided on the front chucks 98 and the rear chucks I80, as shown in Fig. 2, are apertured ears I22 to be. referred to hereinafter relative to the chuck shifting mechanism I5. Bolted tothe front side of the chucks 98 and to the. rear sides of the chucks I08, as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, are vertical bars I23 having feet I24 formed on the lower ends thereof, it being noted that the feet I24 are positioned below the bottom of the chucks 98 and I00 as shown in Fig. 10. Fixed to the chucks 98 and ID!) on opposite sides thereof from the bars I23 are bifurcated slat guides I21 which are adapted to slidably receive somewhat similar slat guides I28 provided on the central chucks 99. It will be noted in Fig. 10 that the lower surfaces of the feet I24 of the bars I23 and the guides I21 and I28 are disposed in horizontal alignment, and it will be further noted that the feet I24 and guides I21 and I28 are positioned to provide slat receiving recesses Chuck: shifting mechanism 75 The chuck shifting mechanism I5 includes an upper and a lower shaft I32 and I33 respectively, as shown in Fig. 2, these being suitably journalled at their opposite ends on the side standards 2I. Fixed to the upper shaft I32, adjacent opposite ends thereof, are cranks I34 having upper and lower arms I35 and I35, respectively, and rearward extending arms I31, one of the cranks I34 being shown in Fig. 2. The free ends of the arms I35 and I 36 of the cranks I34 are connected to the aforementioned ears I22 of the chucks 98 and I by upper and lower connecting rods I39 and I40, respectively. Fixed to opposite end portions of the lower shaft I33 are identical cranks I4I, formed to provide rearward extending arms I42 and pairs of upward extending arms I43 and I44, one of the cranks I4! being shown in Fig. 2. Formed on the upper end of the arm I43 is a stop lug I45 and pivotally secured to the upper end of the arm I44 is a depending arm I46 to the lower end of which a cam I41 is fixed.

Rotation of the lower shaft I33 is transmitted to the upper shaft I32 by connecting rods I50, opposite ends of the latter being connected to the rearward extending arms I31 and I42 of the cranks I 34 and I4I, respectively, as shown in Fig. 2.

Pivotally hung from the aforedescnbed apertured ears 4 I of the plates 40 on the platform frame 36 are depending arms I53, one of which is shown in Fig. 2. Pivotally mounted on the lower end of the arm I53 and connected to one of the aforedescribed ears 11 of the rear guide rail 15 is a horizontal arm I54. Fixed on the rear end of the arm I54 is a roller I55, the latter being disposed in the same vertical plane with the arms I43 and I44 of the crank I4I.

Slat supporting mechanism 16 Fixed to under faces'of the brackets 21 and 28 at each side of the machine I0 are identical horizontal bars I58, one of these bars being clearly shown in Figs. 5, 9 and 10. Fixed to. the front end of the bars I58 are vertical curved guide plates I55, shown clearly in Figs. 1, 9 and 10. Fixed to the under side of each of the bars 153 is a plurality of vertical plates I65, as shown in Figs. 12 to 16 inclusive. Fixed to the inside edges of the plates I55 is a curved plate I5I, the latter being provided with large end openings I62 and a smaller central opening I63. Extending through the plates IE0 is a master pin I54 on which a plurality of dogs I65 are pivotally mounted, two of these being opposite each opening I62 and one opposite the opening I63, so that these dogs can extend through said openings.

Each of the dogs I65 has an apertured lug I55 and an upstanding portion I51, the latter having a curved face as shown in Fig. 1'1. Each of the dogs I55 is adapted to be urged to its normal position, as shown in Fig. 12, by contractile springs I58, the latter extending from the lugs I55 tothe bar I58.

Slat feeding mechanism apertured lugs I15. Each of the slides I14 has a vertical plate I11, the latter being provided with a slot I18 in the front edge thereof as shown in Fig. 4. Pivotally mounted on a suitable pin I15 mounted in the plate I11 adjacent its lower edge, is a forwardly extending arm I88, the latter being formed to provide a slat receiving recess IBI. As shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and '7, the arm I85 is normally urged upwardly against a suitable lug I82 provided on the lower edge of the plate I11 by a compression spring I83, the latter being urged against the under side of the arm I85 by a bolt I 84 which passes loosely through a suitable opening in the arm I35 and is threadedly received by the lug I82.

Also pivotally mounted on the aforementioned pin I19 on the opposite side of the plate I11 from the arm I85 is a slat feeding arm I85, the latter extending forwardly in parallel relation with the aforementioned arm I35. Projecting upwardly from a mid-portion of the arm I35 is a lug I36, to the upper end of which a roller 581 is rotatably mounted. The arm I35 is normally urged upwardly against the under side of the'aforemlentioned slide I14 by a contractile spring I88 which is suspended from one corner of the plate I11 to the upper end of the lug I85, as shown in Fig. 6. Bolted to the front end of each of theaforementioned bars 30 are cam plates I92, one of the latter being shown in Fig. 4. The plates I92 are spaced from the bars 30 by spacers I93, these plates being positioned so as to contact the rollers I81 of the slides I14 in a manner to be further described hereinafter.

The slat carriage actuating mechanism I13, shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, includes an oscillating channel bar I 95, the latter being pivotally mounted at its lower end on the angle iron bar 23 of the frame II, as indicated .at I96. The upper end of the bar I95 is connected to each of the slides I14 of the slat carriage I12 by a Y- shaped connecting rod I91. The bar I95 is adapted to be oscillated in response to vertical movement of the platform 34 by a push rod 200, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The push rod 290 includes an upper tubular portion 20I, the upper end of which is pivotally connected to the channel bar I95 by a pin 202. Slidably received by the tubular member 20I is a rod 233, the lower end of which is pivotally connected to a suitable lug 204, the latter being fixed to the rear edge of the platform 34, as shown in Fig. 2. The rod 203 is yieldably connected to the tube 20l by a suitable detent 206., as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

Operation The lidding machine I0 of my invention is adapted to receive crates or boxes from a suitable delivery conveyor 229 as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1. When the conveyor 220 feeds a crate 22I onto the platform 34 of the machine I0, the aforementioned crate stops 38 function automatically to locate the crate in proper longitudinal relation to the platform 34. This movement of the crate 22I onto the platform 34 causes the aforementioned finger 46 mounted on the bar 44 to be moved to the position shown in Fig.

8, it being noted that the bar 44 and the extension 52 pivot about their respective fulcrums against the tension of the torsion springs 49 and 54. During the interval between lidding operations the operator of the machine I0 places a stack of three slats 222 in the slat carriage I12, it being clear that this stack of slats is supported at opposite ends thereof by the arms I of the slides H4 of the slat carriage I12.

It also will be noted in Fig. 2 that the slat feed bar I85 of the unit I14 is now depressed in its normal position by contact of the cam plate I92 with the roller I81 of the arm I85, and that the slots I18 in the plates I11 of the slides I14 receive the spacers I93 between the cams I92 and bars 39, thus allowing the carriage I12 to be slid to its forwardmost position. The operator now depresses a foot pedal (not shown), the latter admitting fluid to the cylinder 33 of the elevator I2 which causes the platform 34 to rise. This results in the depending arms 92 of the brackets 9| engaging the pins 83 of the arms 8|, and causing the latter to swing to their positions as shown in Fig. 4. Movement of the arm BI is transmitted through the rod 94 to the arms 10 and '1I, and the guide rails 15 and 16, mounted thereon, are moved inward into contact with opposite sides of the crate 22I shown in Fig. 4 so as to center this crate on the platform 34 regardless of the width of this crate.

As the rear guide rail 16 moves inwardly into contact with the crate 22I, the bars I54 and I53 are moved to their positionsshown in Fig. 4, it being noted that the rollers I55 on the rear ends of the bars I54 engage the upstanding arms 14:

of the cranks I4I causing these cranks to rotate the shaft I33 in the direction indicated by the arrow. It will be further noted in Fig. 4 that the space between the upper end of the bar M3 and the cam I41 on the depending bar I43 is equal to the diameter of the roller I55 of the bar I54, and that the cam I41 is provided to keep the crank l4I from swinging too far as a result of the impact of the roller I55 against the arm I43 of the crank I4I.

As the shaft I33 is rotated in the aforedescribed manner, the rods I50 on the ends of the arms I42 are pushed upwardly causing the cranks 134 on the shaft I32 to rotate in the direction of the arrow to their positions shown in Fig. 4. As the cranks I34 are actuated by the vertical rods I50, the upper and lower rods I39 and I40, respectively, cause the front and rear chucks 98 and 100 respectively to be moved inwardly towards the central chuck 99 in proper vertical alignment with the crate 22I as shown in Fig. 4. At the same time that the chucks 93 and I09 are being shifted as aforedescribed, the slat feed mechanism I1 functions in the following manner:

As the platform 34 moves upward the bar 200 4 causes the channel bar I to swing rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 4. The swinging movement of the bar I 95 causes the Y-shaped connecting rod I91 to draw the slat carriage I12 rearward along the bars 30. As soon as the slides I14 of the slat carriage I12 carry the stack of slats 222 to a point below the foot I24 of the bar I23 on the front chuck 98, the cam plate I92 on the bar 30 allows the slat feed bar I85 to be urged upwardly against the bottom of the stack of slats 222. Fur- J ther rearward movement of the units I34 carries the slats beneath the chucks, the slat feed bar I 95 continuing to urge the slats upwardly as the uppermost slats are received one at a time and retained by the aforementioned recesses I29 at the under side of each of the chucks.

As the slats 222 are being carried rearward by the carriage I11, the ends of the slats contact the curved faces of the upstanding portions I61 of the dogs I55, as shown in Fig. 13, thus causing the dogs to swing outwardly as shown in this figure. As each slat is fed into one of the opposite pairs of recesses I29 below the chucks, and the remaining slats are carried on toward the rear, the dogs I55 under that slat are allowed to move to their positions as shown in Fig. 14, thus supporting this slat in its particular pair of recesses I129.

When the crate 22I is raised to its uppermost position, as shown in Fig. 8, the slat carriage I12 has been drawn to the rear ends of the cars 39 entirely clear of the crate 22I. Arrival of the crate 221 at its uppermost position causes all the dogs I65 to be moved to their inoperative positions as shown in Fig. 15, thus permitting the slats 222 to be nailed to the crate 22I by the nailing mechanism I4 in a well known manner.

During the aforedescribed upward travel of the platform 34, the work centering mechanism 53 is allowed to return to its normal position shown in Fig. 11 due to disengagement of the arms 92 from the pins 83 of the depending arms BI. As the mechanism I3 returns to normal position the bar I54 on the rear guide rail 16 is pushed rearward to its normal position as shown in Fig. 8.

When the platform 34 descends to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 11, the rollers I55 of the bars I54 contact with the upstanding arms I44 of the cranks I M and thus cause the shaft I 33 to rotate in the direction indicated by the finger 41.

member 232 has a horizontal finger 233 which is arrow in Fig. 11, whereby the chucks 98 and I06 are shifted to normal position. As the rollers I55 ride downward along the arms I44, as shown in Fig. 11, these rollers also contact the cam I41 causing the arm I 46 to be swung into contact with the stop lug I45 on the upper end of the arm I43 of the crank I41, the result being that the crank MI is checked from swinging too far as a result of the impact of the roller I 55 against the arm I44.

The operation of the aforedescribed box ejector 44 during the complete cycle of operation of the machine I0 is as follows:

As the platform 34 rises, the bar 45 shown in Figs. 1. 18. 19 and 20 is drawn in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 20 by the aforedescribed diagonal bar 56. its uppermost position the finger 41 of the bar 45 is spring-pressed to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 20, and when the platform 34 descends, the diagonal bar 56 causes the horizontal bar 45 to roll between the rollers 43 in a direction opposite to that indicated in Fig. 20, thus bringing the finger 41 into contact with the end of the crate.22I causing the latter to be ejected from the platform 34 onto a suitable crate receiving conveyer (not shown).

A more complete disclosure of the operation of the ejector 44 is made in my copending application for U. S. Letters Patent, Serial No. 526,927,

filed April 1, 1931, for Box moving means.

The ejector 44 of the machine III differs from the disclosure of the copending application above referred to only in the size and structure of the The finger 41 of the machine I6 is relatively long so as to engage narrow crates as well as crates of greater width, and the two-piece construction of the finger 41 enables it to swing into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 20 without requiring as much movement of the bar 45 as would be required if the finger 41 were rigid and not pivoted at its center as shown.

It is clear that the lidding machine of my invention is adapted to apply lids to crates or boxes of different widths and that the various mechanisms included in the machine, although fully automatic in operation, are simple in structure and require a minimum amount of attention.

Referring particularly to Figs. 22 to 26 inclusive, I have shown therein a portion of a modified form of lidding machine 225. The machine 225 is identical with the machine ID with the exception of the changes and additional elements to be pointed out hereinafter. Like reference numerals are used to denote like parts in each of the machines In and 225.

The principal feature distinguishing the machine 225 comprises a slat storage magazine 226, the latter including a pair of vertical channel iron bars 221 which are secured in any desirable manner to the brackets 21 of the bar 25, as shown. The brackets 21, only one of which is shown in connection with the machine 225, are positioned on thebar 25 in reverse to the position of the brackets 21 of the machine II] so as to accommodate the channel bars 221 as shown. As the channel bars 221 of the magazine 226 are identical, but one of these will be described.

Fixed to the back side of the channel bar 221 adjacent the lower end thereof, as shown in Fig. 25, is a block 228 having a pair of parallel, horizontal holes 229 bored therethrough. Slidable in the holes 229 is a pair of bars 230, the latter having fixed to opposite ends thereof a pair of collars 23I and a slat stack supporting member 232. The

When the platform 34 arrives atv positioned so as to be contacted by the forward extremity of the slat receiving arm I80 as shown in Fig. 22. Fixed at its opposite ends to the block 228 and the member 232 is a contractile spring 234, the latter being adapted to urge the member 232 to its operative position as shown in Fig. 23.

The operation of the machine 225 is similar to that of the machine II] excepting that instead of manually supplying the slat carriage I12 with a stack of slats for each "crate lidded, the operator of the machine 225 places a sufficient number of slats 222 in the magazine 226 for lidding several crates. The slats 222 gravitate to the position shown in Fig. 22, it being noted. that the three bottom slats are received by the recess I8I of the arm I80. When the machine 225 is actuated the slat carriage I12 is drawn rearward as aforedescribed and the arms I80 carry a stack of three slats from under the stack of slats in the magazine 226 as shown in Fig. 23.

As the carriage I12 moves rearward the stack supporting member 232 is allowed to move to operative position so that the slats in the magazine 226 are supported by the finger 233 of the member 232 as shown.

As the machine 225 completes its cycle of operation, the slat carriage I12 is pushed forward to the normal position shown in Fig. 22 and the arm I33 pushes the finger 233 from under the stack of slats in the magazine 226, thus allowing a stack to gravitate to its position as shown.

The magazine 226 greatly facilitates the feeding of slats to the machine 225 by removing the necessity for the operator to feed a definite number of slats to the carriage I12 during each interval between lidding operations. Instead of this the only attention which the operator need give to the feeding of slats is to keep a supply of slats in the magazine 226.

Although I have shown and described but one preferred and one modified form of my invention,

it is to be understood that other changes and modifications might be made in these without departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination: means for supporting work; means to support a plurality of slats in spaced positions preparatory to securing said slats to said work; and a carriage adapted to receive a stack of slats, move said stack successively past said positions, and deposit slats from said stack in said slat supporting means at said positions.

2. In combination: means for supporting workj means to support a plurality of slats in spaced positions preparatory tosecuring said slats to said work; and. a carriage adapted to receive a stack of slats, move said stack in a substantially horizontal direction successively past said positions and deposit slats upwardly from the upper end of said stack in said slat supporting means at said positions.

3. In a mechanism for positioning a slat, the combination of means forming a downwardly disposed guide surface, there being an upward recess therein; trap means disposed opposite said recess; and means for moving a slat along said guide surface and feeding it upwardly into said recess, said trap means retaining said slat therein.

4. A combination as in claim 3 having a plurality of said recesses, said slat feeding means feeding a slat to each recess and said trap means retaining said slat therein, and in which said guide surface means between said recesses is telescopic to permit variation in spacing of said recesses.

5. In a nailing machine, the combination of: a plurality of nailing chucks; means forming guide surfaces at a lower level than the bottoms of said chucks, said means being broken beneath said chucks to form slat receiving recesses disposed upwardly from said surfaces; and means to temporarily support slats when the latter are shifted into said recesses.

6. In a lidding machine, the combination of: means forming a downwardly disposed guide surface along which a stack of slats are adapted to be moved, there being slat receiving recesses formed upwardly in said surface; and means engaging said sl'ats when positioned in said recesses to temporarily retain said slats in said recesses.

7. In a box nailing machine, the combination of; means for supporting a box; a plurality of nailing devices mounted over a given edge of said box; guides mounted .on each of said devices and extending in overlapping relation into the space between adjacent devices, said guides providing downwardly disposed guide surfaces for guiding slats moved slidably therebeneath in the act of positioning said slats beneath said devices; means for temporarily supporting one of said slats beneath each of said devices; and means for causing relative horizontal movement between said devices to alter the spacing of slats applied by said devices to said box.

8. A combination as in claim 6 in which said first mentioned means is telescopic between said recesses to permit the spacing of said recesses to be altered.

9. A combination as in claim 1 having magazine means for supplying a stack of said slats to said carriage means during each cycle of operation.

10. A combination as in claim 1 in which said slat positions .are spaced horizontally; means at the rear of said work support to operate said carriage in a horizontal plane between a position in front of the foremost slat position and a position behind the rearmost slat position; and a slat magazine disposed adjacent the foremost position of said carriage for supplying a stack of said slats to said carriage when said carriage is adjacent said magazine.

11. A combination as in claim 1 in which said slat positions are spaced horizontally; means at the rear of said work support to operate said carriage in .a horizontal plane between a position in front of the foremost slat position and a position behind the 'rearmost slat position; a slat magazine disposed adjacent the foremost position=of said carriage for supplying a stack of said slats to said carriage when said carriage is adjacent said magazine; and means for giving relative vertical movement to said work supporting means and said slat supporting means to apply said slats to work carried on said work support, said vertical movement means actuating said carriage operating means to draw said carriage rearwardly and distribute slats in said slat positions during movement together of said work and slat supporting means, and to return said carriage forwardly to its foremost position during relative movement of said work and slat supporting means away from each other.

12. In a box nailing machine, the combination of means for supporting a box; a plurality of nailing devices mounted over a given edge of said box; a guide mounted on each of said devices and having a downwardly disposed slat guiding surface, said surfaces of adjacent guides having an overlapping relation; means on each of said device and guide assemblies to receive and retain in position beneath the nailing device of said assembly, a slat when the latter is slid along a guiding surface of said assembly; and means for causing relative horizontal movement between said assemblies to alter the spacing of slats applied by said devices to said box.

13. In a box nailing machine, the combination of; means for supporting a box; a plurality of nailing devices mounted over a given edge of said box; a guide mounted on each of said devices and having a downwardly disposed slat guiding surface, said surfaces of adjacent guides having an overlapping relation; means on each of said device and guide assemblies to receive and retain in position beneath the nailing device of said assembly, the topmost slat of a stack of slats when the latter is slid along a guiding surface of said assembly; and means for causing relative horizontal movement between said assemblies to alter the spacing of slats applied by said devices to said box.

14. In a box nailing machine, the combination of: means for supporting a box; a plurality of nailing devices mounted over a given edge of said box; :a guide mounted on each of said devices and having a downwardly disposed slat guiding surface extending, parallel with said edge, towards .each adjacent device, said surfaces of adjacent guides having an overlapping relation; means' on each of said device and guide assemblies to receive and retain in position beneath the nailing device of said assembly, a slat when the latter is slid along a guiding surface of said assembly; and means for causing relative horizontal movement between said assemblies to alter the spacing of slats applied by said devices to said box.

HALE PAXTON. 

